Magneto



April 30, 1940. L BERNARD 2,198,754

MAGNETo Filed Maron 9, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 l I ,n /35 Aro! 22 12 as al: :as

4o f M! .in I 1 .I l" I I s n a 4\`--'--I|| VIH 19 o 15 'A H 16 zo 13 as 2 29 u* L 'I i as "l-m- *U- Y Si 3 2|* v er1V Lf Ha s e. s 2

April 30 1940- J. BERNARD 2,198,754

MAGNETO K i Fild March 9. 1937 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 30, l1940 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFlcE MAGNETO Jean Bernard, Paris, France Application March 9, 1937, Serial No. 129,898

In France March 10, 1936 8 Claims. (Cl. 171-209) 'I'he grouping is remarkable in particular by the fact that as the distributing mechanism has its spindle connected to that of the rotary inductor by a pair of bevel pinions, the fixed bodyof the distributor is placed right against the coil which is itself located as near as possible to the inductor in the angle formed by the two axes where the xed body of the distributor and the inductor are partially located, the wholel arrangement being mounted in a case closed by a lcover covering both the coil and the distributing mechanism.

The proximity of the coil to the distributing v -mechanism enables the secondary current to bel brought to the latter directly by a radial conductor connected to a secondary current take/orf placed on the coil and entirely enclosed in the case of the magneto, an arrangement which forms a detail object of the invention. On the other hand, it suiiices to yremove the upper cover` to directly expose the coil and all the electric connections as Well as the distributing mechanism, and to render same accessible for manipulation.

A special arrangement resides in the fact` that the laminated magnetic frame which is embedded in the actual material of the inductor case has no rivets joining the metal sheets. The advantage accuring therefrom is that the entire section of the metal sheets is utilized under the'best conditions for the passage of the ux owing to the elimination of the disturbances caused by the rivetsA which short circuit the sheets.

Other special arrangements reside particularly in the fact that the pole pieces are of such a shape that their medial plane at the point of v junction with the coreof the coil is offset relatively to the medial plane of their pole shoes, so as to reduce the bulk of the machine, and also in the fact that the axis of the core of the coll is, for .the same reason, offset in the same direction relatively to the said medial plane at the point of junction of the pole pieces with the core;

50 in the fact that the large pinion of the distributor is "placed on. the outside relatively to theA small pinion so that itv can be dismounted separately;' in the arrangement of a grease cup underneath the distributing gear Vand of -a retaining 6I cup above to prevent the lubricant from reaching the electric members in the event of the magneto l being turned upside down; in the particular arrangement of a set screw enabling the magneto to be held stationary in the ignition position.

By way of an indicative and in nowise limitative example, an embodiment of a magneto has beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings in the particular case of an inductor having a horizontal axis and of a distributing mechanism having a vertical axis. Said embodiment has the aforesaid improvements as vWell as other peculiarities which form as many detail objects of the invention.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section y'oi the machine through the plan containing the spindle of the inductor and the spindle of the distributor, and.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan view, the fixed body of the distributor being removed as well as" the rotary body, the cam and the breakers.

Fig. 3 is a similar View to Fig. 1 of a modified construction.

In said embodiment', the magneto has a rotating inductor i keyed on a horizontal shaft 2 which projects from it on either side and which is supported at one end by a ball bearing 3 of a case 4 to serve for driving the magneto. 0n the opposite side, the case d is Widely open over a diameter at least equal to that of the inductor i and closed by a bolted cover 5 provided with a ball bearing '6 which supports the other end of the spindle 2 which projects from said bearing 6 suiliciently to support a bevel pinion i. A hole 8 of a diameter at least equal to that of the pinion l is provided in the cover 5 co-axially with the bearing 6.

Above the inductor I, in an extension of the case d, is arranged the magnetic frame having two vertical pole pieces 9, carrying at their lower end the pole shoes, and a horizontal core i@ which unites these arms and which is surrounded by the coil Il. The core I0 is fixed at the end of the pole pieces 9 by clamping plates and screws; To decreasethe bulk, the vertical pole pieces 9 are not straightbut are cambered by a double curvature so that their upper part is offset towards the driving end of the spindle 2 relatively to the medial plane of their pole shoes. Furthermore the common spindle of the core I0 and of the coil Il is further offset in the same direction relatively to the medial plane of the upper end of the pole pieces 9, the laminated core expanding dissymmetrically to the right and to the left on the pole pieces 9.

Qn the other hand, said laminated pole pieces.

S are embedded in the actual material of the case 4 and have no rivets connecting the metal sheets to each other. They are placed in position in the casting mould of the case 4 and their correct relative position is ensured by the fact that they are rigidly connected to each other by a transverse element which is removed during the machining operation; the rivets which hold the metal sheets assembled are arranged in said transverse element and in other appendices arranged so that they are also removed in the machining operation. The most convenient method for this purpose is to cut out said pole pieces in one and the same metal sheet.

On a level with the coil I I and right up against it is arranged the fixed body I2 of the distributor which has the shape of an inverted circular cup carrying on its side wall the distributing studs having a vertical axis which intersects that of the shaft 2. Said cup I2 rests with its edge on a plane inner flange of a cup I3 of greater diameter formed by an extension of the upper part of the cover 5. In the space between said two cups I2 and I3 are arranged the rotary body I4 of the distributor, the ignition cam I5, the breakers I6. the condenserv I1. Said rotary body I4 is made of insulating material` in which is embedded the distributor brush I6. Said rotary body I4 is fixed by screws I9 to which access can be had vertically, on the cam I5 which is keyed on a vertical shaft 20 which passes through'the end of the cup I3 along its axis and which is held by a ball bearing 22 lodged below said end in a sleeve 23 which surrounds the shaft 20 at a distance and expands at its lower part forming a fresh inverted cup 24, which merges into the cover 5 and has a local bulge 25 surrounding the whole of the upper part of the pinion l. On the inside of said cup 24 the shaft 20 carries a bevel pinion 26 located below the pinion 1 and meshing with the latter. A cover 21 closes the inverted cup 24 and carries at its centre a thrust bearing 26 guiding the lower end of the shaft 20 and placed right against the pinion 26.

In this manner, the two bearings 22 and 26 for guiding the shaft 2|! are very far apart and the offset portion of the shaft 20 is very reduced; the large pinion 26 can be withdrawn independently, after simply removing the cover 21; similarly, as the sleeve 23 is of greater diameter than the bearing 22, the shaft 20 can be removed with the pinion 26 after removingthe rotary body I4 and the cam I5 by the upper' part of the machine.

'Ihe cover 21 forms a grease cup for the pinions 1 and 26. Said pinions are thus abundantly lubricated without danger of the lubricant reaching theY electric members of the distributor, which are completely separated from said pinions by the actual end of the cup I3. This separation is further increased by a deflector 29 surrounding the shaft 2|! and placed right up against the bottom of the bearing 22.l The inverted cup 24 has at its end a central annular projection 30 which causes it to -form a kind of annular gutter playing the part of retaining the lubricant in the event of the magneto being turned upside down and of preventingY it from penetrating into the cup I3.

The distributing brush I3 is riveted to the centre of the rotary body on an v'axial socket 3'I which is open at the upper end of the body enclosing a carbon contact l32 rubbing against a stud 22xedtothe centreofthebottnnofthe flxed body of the distributor I2 Ind placed indectrical connection with a resilient 34,

placed on the coil, by a radial conductor 35 embedded in the bottom of .the fixed body I2 of the distributor which is made of Bakelite.

It will be noted that the whole arrangement thus formed is extremely compact and mechanically very rugged owing to the fact that all the projecting or offset parts of the shafts are very short, and that the inductor, which is the main mass in movement, is in very close proximity to the point of drive of its shaft. Furthermore, the arrangement enables the pinions to be readily inspected, adjusted and lubricated.

A spring pressed pin 31 is mounted on the cover 21 through which it passes so as to enable it to be operated from the outside and to hold the pinion 26 stationary in the ignition position by engaging in a notch of the latter.

The upper part of the case 4 and of the cups I2 and I3 is located in the same horizontal plane so as to receive a cover 36 which covers both the coil and the distributor. Said cover is held in place by pivoting bolts 39, carried on the outside of the cup I3, so that they can be readily removed. It holds the cup I2 pressed on its seat by pressing on said cup through the instrumentality of a resilient device 40. The hole 4I in the case I3 for the inlet of the cables' to the magneto is arranged so that it can be intersected by this horizontal plane of the joint.

In the event of its being desired to have a shielded magneto, the whole of the case of the magneto and the cover 38 are made of metal; in the contrary case, the cover 36 can be made of insulating material such as Bakelite and can itself carry the distributing studs; it forms in that case the fixed body of the distributor and the cover I2 can be dispensed with.

Fonxing the magneto on the engine, a strap 42 is provided on the case 4.

In the modified construction of Fig. 3, the lower part of the case has a shape such that the large pinion 26a which meshes with the pinion 1a keyed on the spindle of the inductor can be mounted above or below said pinion, giving the advantage of enabling the'rotary arm to be always rotated in the same direction whatever be the direction of rotation of the inductor. For this purpose, a tubular crosspiece 45 is fitted onto the shaft 20a and is interposed either between the lower fixing nut 46 and the pinion 26a pressed against an upper ange 41 of the shaft 20a, or between said flange -41 and the pinion 26a which is in that case below the pinion 1a of the inductor.

On the other hand, to enable the relative position of the ignition cam and of the inductor to be accurately adjusted, and the errors of machining to be thus compensated for, the pinion 26a is fixed on its shaft 20a by means of the following adjusting device. 'I'here is provided a circular row of p holes pierced through the flange 41 and a circular row of n similar holes pierced through the hub of the bevel wheel 26a. Both said rows have the same diameter and the wheel 26a is secured to the spindle 20a by means of a pin 49a removably fitted in two any registering holes forming respectively part of said rows. It is clearly understandable that by suitably choosing the numbers n and p the adjustment of the bevel wheel 26a on its spindle 26a. may be made as fine as desired since the possible angular adjustment of the pinion 26a on its spindle will be equal to @in n P or to any multiple thereof.

l enclosing the When the bevel wheel 26a is mounted below he driving pinion 1a its hub engages a flange 4B i the cross-pierce 45; said flange is provided with i row of p holes like the flange 41 and the anguar adjustment is then made between the hub of she wheel 26a and said flange 48 by means of the pin 49a. In this case, the cross-piece 45 is secured to the spindle a by a second pin 49 engaged in one of the holes of the flange 41 and in one hole provided therefor in the upper flange 45a ofthe cross-piece 45. When the wheel 26a is used in the position shown in Fig. 3, said pin 49 remains in said hole in the flange 45a and its projecting part is housed in one of the holes through the hub of the wheel 26a.

The same Figure 3 also vice for fixing the ignition cables. Each of the various bosses 50 in which are fixed said cables 5I (only one of which is shown)` has a vertical made of insulating material fixed on the end of the corresponding cable. Each plug has a flange 53 and all these flanges are clamped between two annular insulating plates 54, 55 connected together by screws 55 and through one of which, 54, said different plugs pass. in the bottom of the bore of each boss ensures the electric contact between the vcore of each cable and the corresponding stud of the distributor. The assembly of the two plates and of the plugs is supported by a central rod 59 fixed at the centre of a circular cover 60 carrying -a short oblique nipple 6l for the outlet of the cables. The cover 60 closes a hole provided in the assembly cover 38a for the passage of the plugs and of the lower plate 54 whereedges of the B9 can-be turned at will, it is thus an easy matter to bring out the bundle of cables in any desired direction.

0f course the invention is not limited to the details of construction described or illustrated which have only been given by way of example.

What I claim is:

l. In an ignition magneto comprising a rotatable shaft, an inductor keyed on said shaft, a distributor including a circular row of fixed contacts and a stationary body carrying said contacts and a rotary arm and a rotatable spindle carrying said arm. an ignition coil, and a casing whole and through which projects one end of said shaft, said coil disposed close to the inductor and having its axis perpendicular to said shaft, a bevel toothed pinion keyed on the shaft end within the casing, said spindle vhaving its axis coplanar and transverse to the shaft axis, a bevel toothed wheel keyed on said spindle and in mesh with said pinion, said casing including two of shows a particular dehole. As the cover parts secured together, one which partially encloses the inductor and the coil and the inductor and is provided with a cup-shaped portion through the bottom of which extends said spindle, said cup-shaped portion 'containing the rotary arm and a breaking cam secured on said spindle close to vsaid arm body which is cup shaped, externally centered in said cup-shaped portion of the casing and in which proiects said spindle and rotary arm, said casing including a third part which consists in a cover removable fitted onto said two other cascovering said cup-shaped casing vportion over said stationary body and completing ,the closure of the first casing portion around the coil.

`2, In an ignition magneto as in claim 1, said 'other completes the closure of the and said stationary bevel wheel and rotary arm provided respectively on said spindle on one side and the other of the axis of the inductor shaft, a cover closing a hole in the casing in register with said wheel, and a set screw provided on said cover to lock the wheel i in the ignition position.

3. In an ignition magneto as inl claim 1, said casing and cover portions in their wall meeting edge y an inlet hole for the bundle of the ignition cables. l

4. In an ignition magneto as in claim l, an abutment on said spindle intermediate the axis of the inductor shaft and the rotary arm carried by said spindle, said abutment being so arranged that the wheel applied against it will mesh with 1| said pinion, and means for holding said wheel applied against said abutment, said means including a sleeve fitted on the spindle and having such 'a length that when inserted between said abut- 1 ment and the wheel turned upside down, the latter will again mesh with said pinion but'on. the opposite side thereof.

5. In an ignition magneto comprising a rotatable shaft, an inductor keyed on said shaft, a distributor including a circular row of ilxed contacts and a stationary body carrying said contacts and a rotary arm and a rotatable spindle carrying said arm, an ignition coil, and a casing enclosing the whole and through which projects one end of said shaft, said coil disposed close to the inductor and having its axis perpendicular to said shaft, abevel toothed pinion keyed on the shaft end within the casing, said Spindle having its axis coplanar axis, a bevel toothed wheel keyed on said spindle and in mesh with said pinion, said casing including two parts secured together, one of which partially encloses the inductor and the coil and the other completes the closure of the inductor and is provided with a cup-shaped portion n through the bottom of which extends Vsaid spindle, said cup-shaped portion containing the rotary arm and a breaking cam secured on said spindle close to said arm and said stationary body which is cup shaped, externally centered in said cupshaped portion of the casing and in which projects said spindle and rotary arm, a bearing carried by the bottomof said cup-shaped portion for guiding said spindle, a cover closing a hole in the casing coaxially with said spindle and a 50 bearingnfor said spindle in said cover.

6. In an ignition magneto as in claim 5, a set screw provided on said cover to lock the bevel wheel in the ignition position.

'1. In an ignition magneto as hole coaxial with spindle having a' diameter greater than that of the bevel'wheel, whereby allowing to easily take off said bevel wheel.

8.l In an ignition magneto comprising av rotatable shaft, an inductor keyed on said shaft, a o distributorfincluding a. circular row of fixed con- ,tacts and a stationary body carrying `said 'contacts anda rotary arm and a rotatable spindle carrying said arm. an ignition coil, and a casing enclosing the whole and through which projects 66 one end of said shaft, said coil disposed' close to the inductor and having its axis perpendicular to said shaft, a bevel-toothed pinion keyed on the shaft end within thecasing, said spindle having i its axis coplanar and transverse to the shaft axis,70 a bevel toothed wheel keyed on said spindle and in mesh with said pinion, said casing including two parts secured together, one of which partially encloses the inductorand the oil and the other completes the closure of the/'inductor and in claim 5, said7 

